Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALHODIJ’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALHODIJ’, particularly characterized by large, white, dotted flowers with purplish-pink lips, a flat flower shape in lateral view, an apical lobe of the lip that is slightly folded upwards, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALHODIJ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALHODIJ’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withattractive, large, white, dotted flowers with purplish-pink lips,suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALHODIJ’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in December 2010 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘27517-04’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘30031-01’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in January 2014. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2015 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Apr. 26, 2018 (Application no. 2018/1205), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHALHODIJ’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHALHODIJ’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALHODIJ’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) Large, white, dotted flowers with purplish-pink lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is flat; and    -   3) Apical lobe of the lip is slightly folded upwards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms andfoliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs weretaken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-oldplants in January 2021. Colors in the photographs may differ from thecolor values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of‘PHALHODIJ’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALHODIJ’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALHODIJ’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALHODIJ’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in January 2021 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALHODIJ’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘27517-04’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘30031-01’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having yellowish-green (RHS N144A) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme and panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 52.0 cm to 57.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 34.0 cm to 36.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 16.0 cm            to 19.0 cm. Width: 6.0 cm to 7.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: Toward the tip. Shape: Obovate.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 10 degrees and 30 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: A color in            between RHS 147A and RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B.            Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness:            2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern:            Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A.            Lower surface: RHS 146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—9 to 14.        -   Length.—52.0 cm to 57.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Green (RHS 146A).        -   Internode length.—3.5 cm to 4.5 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme and panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 200.0 mm to            250.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 78.0 mm to 83.0 mm. Diameter: 85.0 mm to            90.0 mm. Depth of lip: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 14 to 17 weeks.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 21.0 mm            to 23.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Light green (a color in between RHS 145B and RHS            145C); purplish-red (RHS N77B) with a touch of (RHS N79B)            toward the tip.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Rounded to slightly mucronate asymmetric. Margin: Moderately            undulated. Length (from base to tip): 40.0 mm to 42.0 mm.            Width: 46.0 mm to 48.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of            the petal: Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper            surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color:            Reddish-purple shade (RHS N78B) at the base; dotted (RHS            N78A). Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over            color: Light purple (RHS N75B) at the base; light            reddish-purple diluting dots (RHS N78D). Number of spots,            dots, and stripes on the petals (upper surface): Many dots.            Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the petals (upper            surface): RHS N78A. Density of netting of the petals (upper            surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not            applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 44.0 mm to            46.0 mm. Width: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepal: Toward the base. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C).            Over color: Reddish-purple dots (RHS N78B). Lower surface:            Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light purple            (RHS 76A) with a touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145C).            Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the dorsal sepals            (upper surface): Very many dots. Color of spots, dots, and            stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): RHS N78B.            Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface):            None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Broad ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire; weakly twisted. Length (from base to tip):            39.0 mm to 41.0 mm. Width: 31.0 mm to 33.0 mm. Position of            the broadest part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base.            Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White            (RHS NN155C). Over color: Touch of light yellow-green (RHS            145D) at the base; dotted (RHS N79C) at the middle and            toward margin (RHS N78B). Lower surface: Basic color: White            (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (a color in            between RHS 145C and RHS 145D) at the middle from base            toward tips; light purple (a color in between RHS 76A and            RHS 76B) and diluting dots (RHS N78D). Number of spots,            dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface):            Many to very many dots. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on            the lateral sepals (upper surface): RHS N79C and RHS N78B.            Density of netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface):            None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 16.0            mm to 18.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Touch of light purple (RHS            76A) at the base with light greenish-yellow tips (RHS 4C).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly            spatulate. Margin: Sinuated. Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm.            Width: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: White (RHS            NN155C) and striped (RHS 59B) at the base; reddish-orange            (RHS 178C) toward margin on one side; reddish-purple (a            color in between RHS N78B and RHS N78C) toward the other            margin and tip. Lower surface: White (RHS NN155C); shaded            (RHS 76A); reddish-orange (RHS 178D) toward margin on one            side and purplish-pink margin (RHS N78C) toward other margin            and tip. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:            Few stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe:            RHS 59B. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color            of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trullate; slightly folded upwards.            Margin: Entire. Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm            to 20.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Dark purplish-pink (RHS            186C) at the base; reddish-orange wings (RHS 178C) and            reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward whiskers. Lower surface:            White (RHS NN155B) at the middle from base toward whiskers;            reddish-orange margins (RHS 178D) at wings; purplish-pink            (RHS N78C) toward margins and whiskers. Number of spots and            stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes            on the apical lobe: Not applicable. Density of netting of            the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Callus.—Average size: Small to medium. Height: 6.0 mm to            7.0 mm. Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.            Color: Yellowish-white (RHS 155B); dotted (a color in            between RHS 59A and RHS 59B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to            6.0 mm. Color: Touch of light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at            the base with white tip (RHS NN155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 25A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 14.0 mm to 16 0 mm. Diameter: 2.6 mm to 2.9            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 40.0 mm to 42.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to            3.5 mm. Color: Yellow-green (a color in between RHS 144B and            RHS 144C) at the base; light yellow-green (RHS 145C) and            very light purple (RHS 76B) toward the flower. Texture:            Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALHODIJ’ differs from the female parent plant ‘27517-04’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHALHODIJ’ has apical lobes with a main color of reddish-purpleand medium curvature of the lateral lobes, whereas ‘27517-04’ has apicallobes with a main color of white and weak curvature of the laterallobes.

‘PHALHODIJ’ differs from the male parent plant ‘30031-01’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHALHODIJ’ has medium curvature of the lateral lobes, whereas‘30031-01’ has weak curvature of the lateral lobes. Additionally,‘PHALHODIJ’ has larger flowers than ‘30031-01’.

‘PHALHODIJ’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALDOQZI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,031) and ‘PHALFLACAN’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 27,910). ‘PHALHODIJ’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALDOQZI’ in that ‘PHALHODIJ’ has trullate apical lobes, whereas‘PHALDOQZI’ has triangular apical lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALHODIJ’ hassmaller flowers and narrower petals than ‘PHALDOQZI’.

‘PHALHODIJ’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFLACAN’ in that‘PHALHODIJ’ has trullate apical lobes and light purple whiskers at thebase with light greenish-yellow tips, whereas ‘PHALFLACAN’ has rhombicapical lobes and dark purplish-red whiskers with light greenish-yellowtips.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALHODIJ’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.